Evaluation: December 2014. Details: There are few brochures, presentation CD-s, no touristic web-site, but the “word-of-mouth” promotion is very efficient. Moreover the Parliament Palace is included in almost most tours of Bucharest. The Parliament Palace deserve the maximum 10 points for Notoriety but can be promoted better. Ambiance – 20 points (the maximum 10 points plus other 10 points from Best of Romania). The Parliament Palace is outstanding (the largest building in Europe and the 2nd largest in the world after the Pentagon building) and is a must visit, together with the Romanian Atheneum, for any tourist coming to Bucharest. Access – 10 points. Easy access – the Parliament Palace is located near the center of Bucharest. Visiting Hours daily, with the exception of days with important events like the NATO summit. Maximum 10 points plus 5 points from Best of Romania. Services – 10 points. There are many guided tours inside in various foreign languages. A souvenir shop is located at the entrance inside the Parliament Palace and also toilets. Please book in advance and don’t forget to take your passport with you.

The Parliament Palace – In the center of Bucharest, in front of Piata Constitutiei (Constitution Plazza) and not far from Piaţa Unirii (Union Plazza), can be seen the world’s second largest building (after the US Pentagon), formerly named “Casa Poporului” (People’s House). The building was realized in only 5 years between 1984 and 1989 during the communist regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu, spans 12 stories, 3100 rooms and covers over 330,000 sq m. 1/9 of Bucharest was reconstructed to accommodate this magnificent massive building and its surroundings. There are 30-45 minute tours every half hour which lead through the building’s vast collection of marble rooms and culminates in an impressive view from Nicolae Ceauşescu’s balcony. The marble and all the original decorations are 100% from Romania.

700 architects and over 20.000 workers in three shifts 24 hour per day, 7 days per week.

The Parliament Palace is surrounded by other communist buildings such as: the Ministry of National Defence, The Marriott Hotel, the Romanian Academy, the Izvor Park and The Unirii Boulevard (former the Socialism Victory boulevard).